Float apparatus



Feb. 9, 1960 F. 1.. BLUMQUIST ETAL FLOAT APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1959 INVENTORJ' Ralph E.Kru mer BY F. L. Blumqulst v ATZY United States Fatent FLOAT APPARATUS Frank L. Blumquist, North Warren, Pa., and Ralph E. Kramer, Fair Haven, N .J assignors to Hammond Iron Works, Warren, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 12, 1959, Serial No. 792,908

12 Claims. (Cl. 114-.5)

The present invention relates to a float apparatus and more particularly to a float apparatus which is especially adapted for use with a ramp or the like to provide a floating dock.

The present invention provides a float apparatus which can be utilized for a number of different purposes, and it is especially useful as a component of a floating dock wherein it may be pivotally connected to a ramp which is in turn pivotally connected to a fixed portion on land whereby the overall arrangement provides a very effective floating dock which can be utilized in connection with boats in the customary manner.

A primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a float apparatus assembly composed of a plurality of separate members which can 'be shipped to any desired location wherein it is desired to erect a float, and

the various components can be quickly and easily assembled so as to provide the finished assembly. The various components employed in the present inventionare quite light-weight, and are very adaptable such that they can be interconnected in various manners to provide floats of varying size and shape. a

It is additionally desirable to provide a structural arrangement'wherein the various components are reversiible whereby they may be assembled in alternate positions such that any given component may be utilized in at least two different positions. Furthermore, the

structure according to the present invention is so constructed and arranged that even the most unskilled person can assemble the apparatus with ease, and the construction is such that it is virtually impossible for a person to assemble the apparatus in a manner other than the proper one. p

The apparatus according to the present invention incorporates a plurality of float members which are of very light-weight, thin-walled construction, the float members being hermetically and permanently sealed and filled with a suitable buoyant substance, which is preferably urethane foam according to the present invention.

Each of the float members is provided with flanges along the upper and lower edges thereof, each of these flanges being provided with suitable openings therethrough.

While the various float members can be sealed to one another so as to provide a rigid frameworlga plurality of ballast members are also preferably employed for connecting the float members in a rigid framework, and for balancing the float apparatus as is often desirable in practice.

Each of the ballast members according to the present invention comprises a closed hollow member having means formed in the upper and lower surfaces for adding to or removing ballast material from the ballast members. The ballast members also include flanges formed along the upper and lower edges thereof, and having suitable openings formed therein.

The flanges of the float members and ballast-members .are suitably interconnected to one another by preferably :nut, and bolt assemblies to provide a rigid framework.

2,924,191' Patentedleb. 9, race ice 2 A pair of spaced angle members are also attached'to the flanges of the members, these angle members being provided with a substantially horizontally disposed surface upon which a plurality of deck members are disposed in spanning relationship.

Each of the deck members according to the present invention is preferably of channel shape to provide a maximum degree of strength, and these deck members are supported upon and secured to the horizontal support surfaces of the angle members. Certain ones of the deck members have end portions which are recessed inwardly of the end portions of the other deck members, and a hinge means is secured to these recessed end portions. This hinge means is adapted to cooperate with a complementary hinge means formed on another member for pivotally securing the float assembly to another member.

As mentioned previously, the float apparatus according to the present invention is especially adapted to be connected to a ramp for forming a float dock, and the end of such a ramp being provided with hinge means adapted to be secured to the hinge means of the float apparatus. The ramp according to the present invention is of a very compact and simple design, and provides a light-weight ramp of high strength.

An object of the present invention is to provide afloat apparatus which is particularly adapted for use with a. ramp to provide a floating dock'arrangement.

Another object is the provision of a new and novel float assembly composed of a number of separate lightweight components.

A further object of the invention is to provide a float apparatus comprising a number of components which may be quickly and easily assembled or disassembled to provide float apparatus of various sizes and shapes.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of float apparatus wherein the different components thereof are reversible, and wherein a completely inexperienced person can not fail to properly assemble the apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a float apparatus including means for effectively balancing the float assembly.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of float apparatus which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which is sturdy and reliable in operation.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specificatio and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the rigid framework of the float apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of oneof the float members employed in the float assembly;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the deck structure and an adjacent ramp;

Fig. 6' is a perspective view of a portion of the hinge structure;

Fig. 7 is a top view of a floating dock according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another portion of the hinge structure. 7

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the rectly to one another or the ballast members maybe em- 'ployed at the corners of the apparatus as shown. In addition, while the float apparatus shown is substantially square; various other configurations and sizes may be proapparatus as desired.

a As seen in Fig. 2, each of'float members 11 includes flanges 15 and 16 at opposite ends of the "float member, flanges 15 and 16 being formed along edges of the upper surface thereof; Similar flanges 15 and 16' are provided vided'byinterconnecting the various components of thealong theedges of the lower-surface ofthe float member.

A flange17 is' formed along'one of the longitudinally extending edges of the upper surface and is in spanning re.-

lationshipbetweenflanges 15 and 16. In a like manner a' lower flange 17 as seen in Fig. 3 is disposed along. a

longitudinally extending edge portion of the lower surface .1

" a of each of the flo'at' members in spanning relationship with the end flanges 15" and 16'. This particular arrangement including the flanges formed at the edges of bOth th6 upper and lower surfaces of the float members permits the float members to be reversed such that it can be utilized either in. the position'shown in Fig. 3 or-upside down fromthls. position without affecting the structure.

Each of. flanges" 15, 16,817, 15, 16' and 17' arep-ro 'vided with suitable openings; 18 therethrough for. receiving nu tEandzbolt.assembliesas hereinafterdescribed; Asseen in Fig. 3, each of float members 11. is of a thin-walled,

light-weighnconstruction, the, float members beingpreferably formed oilight-material suchas aluminum which resistsithc, corrosive. action of water-and the float. mern 1 bers beirig permanently hermetically sealed. A suitable buoyant substance indicated by reference numeral; 2!) is disposedwithin, each ofrthe float members, and;accord ing to the present invention this buoyant substance prefer,- ably comprises urethane foam. As seen most clearly in Fig. 4 of the drawings, each of th e 'ballastmembers comprisesa closed hollow, thin,- walled, light-weight member preferably also formedvof aluminum, each of the b'allastmembers having a pair of upperflanges 25 disposed along, the two inner edges there.-

of disposed substantially normally to one anothen and in a like manner a pair of flanges 25' is provided alongthc lower n r ges ofeach of theballas mem 'S n latopenings 26 and.26" are providedin the upper; and lower surfaces fof each ,of, theballastmemb'ers, and-,clo-

sure members 27 and 27 are threadedly received-within 5 openings 262M126; respectively. Which are provided-with compl msn a ythreads forsecur ng th i u e e nsi ca n i cla ionsh n- It is, evid nt th tthe ballast fi bers can be filled with a suitable ballast material such as water utilizing the two closure members 27 and 2f7 for filling and emptying theballast membersas desired The water levelwithin the ballast members shown inFi'g. 4

is indicated at 28 by wayof example, a

In 'the arrangement shown, each of the upperend flanges 15 and 16 oftheyarious floatmembersis secured tolh s ias m one t r i z flan e 250.11 a di s ballast member. These flanges are inter'connected a's;;described by meansof nut; and bolt assemblies indicated .gen-

er-al ly by reference'numeral 30 and. extend;through no; operating openings; 18 fo r med in the flanges on thejfloat a members and openings 29 formed throughthe flanges 25 of theballast me'rrrbers. Thelower flanges on the floa t smbsast nd alla t s h r ss res m y. sec to one another by means of nut and bolt assembliesiind t ed se e a lrby cfs rcnw wdsI g s i 1 similar janglejor support members indicated generally by reference numerals 35 and 36, are clamped between the flanges of the float members and ballast members as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. Angle members 35 and 36 are provided with first leg portions 35' and 36' respectively which are substantially vertically disposed and extend between adjacent flanges on the associated float and ballast members. These vertical leg portions are provided with a plurality of openings corresponding to the openings formed in the adjacent flanges, such that the angle members are rigidly clamped in position not only between adjacent'portions of the float and ballast members, but also throughout the length of the associated flanges 17 of an opposite pair of float members. Angle members 35 and 36 also include substantially horizontally extending leg portions 35 and 36" respectivelywhich are provided with a plurality of openings therethrough, and which have an upper surface serving as a support surface. A

plurality of deckmembers 40 are of channel configuration as seen in Fig. 1, each of the deck members 40 hav- 6 ing a pair of spaced facing'lower leg portions 41, the under surface of which is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of leg portions 35 and36" of the angle members. Each of leg portions 41 of the deck members is provided with openings 42 therethrough which are adapted tobe aligned with the openings provided in the leg portions 35f and 36 of the angle members for securing the; deck members, in operativeposition bymeans of suitable nut and bolt assemblies indicated generally by reference numeral 45 as seen in Fig. 3, these nut and bolt assemblies extending through the aligned openings in the legs of the deck'members, and thejhorizontal legs of the angle m enibers.

The. various deck.membersaredisposed in abutting re- .lationshipas. seen most'clearly in Fig. 5, and the end por-.

tions;46 thereof are folded over to provide closed ends. .Theend portions 47 of the central deck members as seen in Fig.- S are recessed. inwardly of the end portions of the remainder of the deck members, and. provide a recess 48 within which the end portion of. a ramp or the like is adaptedtobe received. As seen in Figs. 5 and 6a hinge.

means indicated generally by reference numeral 50. is secured to the. recessed end portions 47.v

Referring now more particularly toFig. 6, hinge means 50 comprises. an elongate plate 51. having four cut-outs 521formedtherein and a plurality of openings. 53 for receiving attaching means such as bolts or the. like. Gussets 55 areformed at opposite ends of the plate for strengthening the plate and horizontally extending flanges 56are disposed adjacent the gussets for providing additional rigidity. An upwardly projectingflange 60, hasa forwardlyextending portion 61, theouter endof which is r turned under to define a cylindrical opening 62 there:

within for receiving a hinge bolt.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, a ramp is indicated generally byreferencenumeral 70, one end of the ramp being pivotally. secured to a fixed portion on the shore,

and the opposite end of the ramp beingpivotally connected toa float apparatus to provide a floating dock. Ramp,;70 consists of a plurality of support members 71 which as seen most clearly in Fig. 9 are disposed. in abutting relationship to one another. and areprovided with inwardly extending leg portions 72 at thetlowerssurfaces thereof for providingthedesired degree of rigidity. The

uppper surfaces; of support members ,71 are preferably provided with-a nonskid surface such that persons walking along the ramp will not accidentallyslipon thesupport members. A pair of elongated channel members 75 are disposed along opposite side portions .of, the lower part of the ramp, channel members 75 being of varying depth as seen most clearlyin Fig. 8. As seen1 in Fig. 9, leg por-i tions 75' of channel member 75fabut theilower surface of the outerleg portions 72 of supportmembers 71.

members 75 at spaced portions along. the length of the ramp, each of channel members 76 including upper and lower leg portions .76 and 76" Nutand boltassemblies indicated; generally. by reference. numeral. Y 80 extend through aligned openings in leg portions 72, .75 and 76 Channel-gmembers 76 extend laterally between channel.

nut and bolt assemblies 81 extend through the central legs 72 of support members 71 and through a spacer plate 82 andaligned openings in leg portions 76' of channel members 76. In this mannera very lightweight rigid ramp structure is provided having a high degree of strength. A railing structure indicated generally by refer ence numeral 85 is mounted within support brackets 86 secured to the side portion of support members 71 as by welding or the like.

Referring now to Fig. 10, one of the hinge means secured to the end portion of the ramp is illustrated, it being understood that another similar hinge means is also se' cured in spaced relationship, but being the reverse arrangement of the member shown in Fig. 10. Member 90 comprises a flat plate-like portion 91 having a plurality 9f openings 92 for receiving bolts by which the member 13 secured to the end of the ramp. A gusset 93 is formed along one edge of the member and the upper portion 95 of the member is turned over to provide a cylindrical. opening 96. Portion 95 and opening 96 of each of themembers 90 secured to the end of the ramp are disposed. at opposite ends of the portion 61 of the hinge member secured to the float apparatus such that the opening 62- in the hinge means 50 of the float apparatus is aligned. with openings 96 in members 90 secured to the ramp and. a hinge pin is mounted and secured within these aligned. opemngs for providing a pivotal inter-connection be-- tween the ramp and the float apparatus.

Referring again to Fig. 7, a pair of similar anchor cables 100 are pivotally secured at 101 to edge portions: of the floatmg gpparatus, the opposite ends of the cablesbeing pivotally connected at 102 to anchor members 103,v

only one of which is shown in Fig. 7. Anchor members I 103 are slidably mounted within support members 104 which are fixed in position, a nut member 105 being threadedly mounted on the outer end of anchor member- 103, and a compression spring member 106 disposed between nut 105 and support member 104. It is apparent. that the spring provides a resilient force on the end of the cables for maintaining the float apparatus in proper opera-- tive position.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided. a new and novel float apparatus which is especially suited for use with a ramp or the like to provide a floating deck. The float assembly according to the present invention: comprises a plurality of separate light-weight componentswhich may be quickly and easily assembled and disas-- sembled to provide float assemblies of a variety of sizes: and shapes. 7 The components are reversible such that they may be employed in a plurality of positions, and the struc-- ture is such that an inexperienced person can easily as-- semble the apparatus with virtually no possibility of as-- sem-bling the components in an improved manner. Means: 18 provided for effectively and easily balancing the float. apparatus and the construction is simple and inexpensive,. and yet sturdy and reliable in operation.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms: I

without departing from the spirit or essential character-- lstlcs thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooper ative equivalents are therefore intended to be embracedv by those claims.

We claim:

1. Float apparatus comprising a plurality of light-- weight float members, ballast means for balancing the float apparatus, means interconnecting said float members and said ballast means to provide a float assembly of desired size and shape, a plurality of deck members, and. means supporting said plurality of deck members at the: upper portions of said float members and said ballast;

6f members thereby providing a. support deck means at the top portion of the float apparatus.

2; Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ballast means comprises at least one closed hollow member, and

closure means providing access to the interior of said I hollow member to permit selective filling of the ballast means with suitable ballast. i

3. Float apparatus comprising a plurality of lightweight float members, each of which is permanently sealed and has a buoyant substance disposed therein, a plurality of closed hollow ballast members, means interconnecting said float members and said ballast members to provide a rigid framework, support members mounted at the upper portions of said float members and ballast members, and a plurality of deck members supported upon and secured to said support members for providing a deck on the upper portion of the float apparatus.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said buoyant substance comprises urethane foam.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the interconnecting means between said float members and said ballast members includes cooperating flanges formed on the respective members, and bolt means securing said flanges to one another.

6. Float apparatus comprising a plurality of lightweight float members being hermetically sealed and having a buoyant substance disposed therein, a plurality of closed hollow ballast members secured to the end portions of adjacent float members for providing a rigid framework, each of said ballast members including means for selectively filling the interior of the ballast members with ballast material, support members attached to and supported by said float members and said ballast members, said support members including support surfaces, a plurality of deck members supported upon said support surfaces, and means securing said deck members in position on said support members for providing a flat deck surface at the upper portion of the float apparatus.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said deck members are disposed in abutting relationship with one another, certain ones of said deck members having the end portions thereof recessed inwardly of the end portions of the other deck members, and hinge means supported upon said recessed end portions for attaching the float apparatus to a ramp or the like.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said float members comprises a thin-walled permanently sealed member, said buoyant substance comprising urethane foam.

9. Float apparatus comprising a plurality of buoyant float members, each of said float members having flange means formed on the upper and lower surfaces thereof, a plurality of closed hollow ballast members, each of said ballast members having flange means formed on the upper and lower surfaces thereof, said ballast members being disposed adjacent end portions of adjacent pairs of float members, means securing adjacent flanges of the float members and ballast members to one another, means formed in said ballast members for selectively filling or emptying said ballast members, a pair of angle members attached to said flange means at the upper portion of the float apparatus, and a plurality of deck members supported upon and secured to said angle members for providing a flat deck at the top of the float apparatus.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the end portions of certain ones of said deck members are provided with hinge means adapted to cooperate with another hinge means for hingedly attaching the float apparatus to another means.

11. Float apparatus comprising a plurality of closed thin-walled, light-weight float members having a buoyant substance therein, each of said float members having flanges formed along the top and bottom edges thereof, a plurality of closed hollow ballast members having flanges formed along the upper and lower edges thereof,

7' 1 means formed in=-the-upper and-lower surfaces-of said ballast members for selectivelyfilling orernptying .jthe ballast members, each ofsaid flanges having openings formed therein, and b'olt'means-extending throughthe 8 portions ofi'centaimones ofisaidldeck members are recessed 't withnrespeet to.the end portions ofothers= ofxsaid deckil members; and? hinge means rsecuredl ato said recessed end 1 portions for pivotally-.attaching theafloat appapatuslto a r.-

openings in said flanges for -securingc'ertain ones of the" 5 ramp mnthewlike;v

flanges to one another'forproviding ari'gid'framework, a pair of angle members attachedto certain ones of said flanges at the upper; portion of the apparatus; each of saidangle memliers having a substantially horizontally disposed leg portion, and" a plurality of deck mernbers supportedupon said "leg portion and secured thereto.

12. Apparatus as definedin claim 11, wherein the end mamas Cited-inthefile or. this :patent 1 UNITED-STATES PATENTS Nelson'et al. NOV.9; 1948:

10 2,660,194 Hoffman Nov. 24,;1953- 2,764,565 Hoppe -et a1: Sept; 25, l9 5 6 2,879,735; Pointer Mar. 31, 1959f 

